Events 2020

Our initial programme of special events is shown on the calendar of train services for 2020, and details of each of these events are given below.

In addition, other events may well be organised during the year in conjunction with our ordinary train operations. Watch out for details of these extra events, which will be added to this page as the dates for them are fixed.

If you are interested in some of the previous events that we have run, then details of selected ones are available, and a separate page describes these.

Heritage Diesel Day

Saturday 6th June 2020

Event cancelled as a precaution against the coronavirus pandemic

See a historic diesel locomotive in action

An opportunity to ride behind one of our historic diesel locomotives. Click here for more details of this opportunity.

Our usual timetable and fares will apply.

Diamond Jubilee and Gala

Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June 2020

Event postponed until October as a precaution against the coronavirus pandemic

60 Years of Preservation

Join us in this gala event, which will celebrate 60 years of volunteer-run trains on the Middleton Railway.

The event will feature a visiting locomotive, and both passenger trains and mixed trains operating over the whole line, including the little-used Balm Road branch.

On each day a special intensive service will operate, and special fares will apply. Nearer the time a separate page will give more details of this event.

Concert

Saturday 27th June 2020

Event cancelled as a precaution against the coronavirus pandemic: we hope to be able to re-arrange this event

Early Evening Concert

As part of our Diamond Jubilee celebrations, this concert will follow the day's train services, and will start at 5.00pm. It will take place in the display hall, and will feature music by soprano soloist Jenny Leadbeater, with accompaniment on chamber organ and harpsichord by Dr Simon Lindley, former Leeds City Organist.

Our normal timetable and fares will apply for the train services, with a special charge for the concert.

The event will feature a variety of market stalls with arts, crafts and costumes, hot and cold food, tabletop gaming, birds of prey, charity tombola and "Coffee Jousting" displays.

Normal fares will apply, but with a charge for those who are just coming to visit the market.

Steam trains will run on both days, and our usual timetable will apply. Nearer the time a separate page will give more details of this event.

Model Railway Exhibition

Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th July 2020

Event cancelled as a precaution against the coronavirus pandemic

Seeing the models alongside the real thing

Now a well established event, the Model Railway Exhibition will feature both models and the real thing in action. There will be an opportunity to drive one of our locos, as well as see the museum full of layouts.

Steam trains will run on both days, and special ticket prices will apply. Nearer the time a separate page will give more details of this event.

A Taste of Yorkshire

Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August 2020

Event cancelled as a precaution against the coronavirus pandemic

Yorkshire Food Festival

A new event for our jubilee year, bringing the best of regional delicacies for you to sample during the weekend of Yorkshire Day.

On both days steam trains will run, both during the day and on into the early evening. Special ticket prices will apply, and nearer the time a separate page will give more details of this event.

Leeds Classic Bus Running Day

Sunday 16th August 2020, subject to confirmation

Rides on vintage Leeds buses

We will be participating in this event, which will be the seventh in the series. It will see vintage Leeds City Transport buses (and others) running on a route through the city that links up local museums.

Steam trains will run, and our usual timetable and fares will apply. Nearer the time a separate page will give more details of this event.

Heritage Diesel Day

Saturday 5th September 2020

See a historic diesel locomotive in action

An opportunity to ride behind one of our historic diesel locomotives. Click here for more details of this opportunity.

Our usual timetable and fares will apply.

Heritage Open Days

Come and find out more about our industrial heritage

As our contribution to the nation-wide "Heritage Open Days" event, we will be offering tours of this historic site, on the railway where the world’s very first successful, load-hauling steam locomotive ran in the year of 1812.

The tours will run hourly from 10.00 to 3.00 p.m. on each day, and there will be no need to book for them. They will take visitors through our history from the working of the coal outcrops in Middleton Woods in mediaeval times, via the country’s first wooden (horse-drawn) railway in the eighteenth century and the revolutionary steam loco “Salamanca” - arguably, Leeds’ premier contribution to the Industrial Revolution - to the present situation as the country‘s first standard-gauge preserved railway. After that, you will be welcome to buy a ticket and ride on our trains!

The trains will be operated by heritage steam locomotives for the weekend of 12th and 13th September, and by heritage diesel locomotives for the weekend of 19th and 20th September.

There will be no charge for the tours that will form the main part of this event.

Star Rails

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September 2020

Our third Comic-Con style event!

Following on from the success of previous events, this one will feature special exhibits, sci-fi characters in costume (as shown in the picture here, taken in our display hall), and more.

Our normal train services will run, and our usual timetable will apply, but special fares will be charged. Nearer the time a separate page will give more details of this event.

Heritage Diesel Day

Saturday 3rd October 2020

See a historic diesel locomotive in action

An opportunity to ride behind one of our historic diesel locomotives. Click here for more details of this opportunity.

Our usual timetable and fares will apply.

Autumn Gala

Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October 2020

Showcasing our own Locomotive Fleet

This will be the last major event for our Diamond Jubilee year, and will feature passenger trains and mixed trains operating over the whole line, including the little-used Balm Road branch.

On each day a special intensive service will operated, and special fares will apply. Nearer the time a separate page will give more details of this event.

Mark New Year's Day

Fares: Adult £7.00; Children £3.00; Family £18.00 (2 adults and up to 3 children). (Note: single tickets are not available for this event.)

New Year’s Day tickets include unlimited rides (and a mince pie), and you do not need to return from Park Halt on the same train, so that if you wish to get off the train and go for a walk in the Park you are welcome to do so (but don't miss the last train back!).